Magistrate Markovich addressed 12 migrants and their 3 lawyers at a time in front of the bench. Each was asked the usual questions, each responded, “guilty.” One migrant hesitated, but after speaking with his lawyer, admitted to “guilty,” too. Another had his hearing rescheduled to a later date and Jose Mauricio Centeno-Portillo (16-30796M) was dismissed. No explanation that we could hear for either action.

Victor Manuel Aguilar-Nunez (16-30802M) requested prison in Georgia to be near his U.S. wife so he will be able in the 75 days he spends to prison to gather documents to prove she is his wife and clear the way for his legality in the U.S.

Veronica Vargas-Aparicio (16-30747M) told her lawyer she has 3 U.S. children residing in Mexico.

CJA lawyer Miranda stated his client Miguel Ramos-Aldazaba (16-30774M) has diabetes and Markovich requested that the prison attend to his medical needs.

Of the 61, most were apprehended near Sasebe, 11 near Nogales, 9 near Lukeville, 7 each near Douglas and Naco and 2 near Hereferd. (S.E. of Sierra Vista)

Together they will spend 3570 days in prison at a cost of $574,770 to the U.S. taxpayers. In contrast, prior to the 1980’s, most migrants crossing the border without papers were returned to their countries without going through the criminal justice system, returning without a criminal charge and at much, much lower cost to us taxpayers.

Today’s O.S. migrants will find it almost impossible to return to the U.S. legally.